Items Found In Grocery Store
can assist minor health problems in dogs

Here are some inexpensive items (which can be found in any grocery store)
that can be of assistance for minor health problems in dogs. They are also
useful for people!

ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR
VETERINARIAN ANY TIME YOU HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS!

Activated Charcoal
USES: Absorbs poisons. Each particle contains many small chambers and
cavities that bind-up unwanted material or gas.
DIRECTIONS: 3-6 mg per lb. Repeat in one hour.
CAUTIONS: May reduce the effectiveness of certain medications. Consult a
veterinarian before taking this with other medications.

Apple Cider Vinegar
USES: Boosts the health of the animal with its nutritional and healthful
qualities. Potential benefits include: an effective remedy for arthritis,
gout and kidney disease and helpful in alleviating joint pain. Balances
acid-alkaline pH levels in the body and helps to oxygenate the blood. Aid
for digestion, helping to break down minerals, protein and fats. Inhibits
growth of unfriendly bacteria in the digestive tract. Detoxifying
properties, strengthens immune system. May ameliorate viral, bacterial and
fungal infections. Natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medicine with
natural antibiotic effect. Ameliorating respiratory infections and may
reduce symptoms, such as watery eyes and nasal discharge. Can be helpful in
eliminating both internal and external parasite problems. Useful for dry,
itchy or infected skin problems. If applied topically to wounds and burns it
will decrease the pain and promote healing. Controls minor bleeding from
cuts and abrasions. Helps relieve diarrhea and constipation.
DIRECTIONS: Internally: Include 1 tsp with a meal
Externally: Apply with cotton ball. ACV should not be used internally for
those dogs that have irritation of the mucosa (lining) of the intestinal
tract
CAUTIONS: ACV should be used diluted for application to the skin. Place in a
mister bottle and spray to affected areas.
Avoid Eye Contact

Chamomile Tea
USES: Gentle eye wash for irritated or infected eyes. Can help to soothe
your dog during times of stress such as flying, visits to the doctor, etc.
DIRECTIONS: Boil 1 cup of water. Pour the boiling water over a tea bag full
of chamomile flowers. Steep 10 - 15 minutes. Let cool. For eye wash: Dip
cotton square in cooled tea. Gently wipe eye, wiping away any secretions.
Squeeze some tea into the eye. For stress: Place tea in the dog water dish
or soak a treat in it.

Epsom Salts
USES: To treat abscessed nail beds and paws that are itchy due to allergies.
Will also give the pet temporary relief from the itchy feet secondary to
allergies.* Use 1/2 cup of Epsom salts per 1 gallon of water. Soak the
affected paw for 5-10 minutes, 2-4 times a day. It will help draw out the
infection in case of a nail bed abscess.
CAUTIONS: Do not allow pets to drink an epsom salt solution since it can
cause diarrhea.

Hydrogen Peroxide
USES: Used to induce vomiting after accidental ingestion of a poison. Also
for flushing wounds and cleaning prior to applying antibiotic ointment and
bandaging
DIRECTIONS: Give 1-3 teaspoons every 10 minutes will help the dog vomit.
Repeat this 3 times.

Olive Oil
USES: Dry skin. Ear Mites.
DIRECTIONS: For dry skin: 1 tsp added to food daily
For ear mites: Prepare mixture of 1/2 ounce olive oil and 400 IU vitamin E
in a dropper bottle. Warm to body temperature and put about 1/2 dropper full
in the ear, massaging the ear canal well for a minute or so. Let your pet
shake its head and then gently clean out the opening with cotton balls.
Apply the oil every other day for six days. Then let the ears rest for 3
days. (The oil mixture will smother many of the mites and start a healing
process.)

Pedialyte
USES: Water and electrolytes essential during prolonged diarrhea or vomiting
or for any signs of shock, such as low temperature, cold extremities, pale
gums and weakness.
DIRECTIONS: Five or ten cc syringe usually works well, you can give one or
two syringes of this into the mouth every hour until they are looking
better, depending on the size of the animal. To check for signs of
dehydration take the skin at the scruff of the neck and raise it up between
your finger and thumb then let go. If it goes immediately back down to
normal they are not dehydrated, if it stays up for more than a few seconds
dehydration is indicated. Give oral rehydration fluids immediately as
described above.

Rescue Remedy (Available from Health Food Stores)
USES: Homeopathic remedy used to treat stress or shock. This can be used any
time an animal is stressed or injured.
DIRECTIONS: Give 2 drops on tongue every 5-15 minutes in case of shock or
trauma

Slippery Elm
USES: An aid to the digestive system for pets that suffer from constipation
and upset stomach. It has also been used as a cough suppressant and a
poultice (an herb that is boiled down into a paste, cooled, and applied to
the skin). Slippery Elm Bark is recommended for soothing gastric diseases.
It has several beneficial effects on digestion: 1) it reduces bowel transit
time; 2) it absorbs toxins from the bowel; 3) increases fecal bulk and
dilutes stool materials thereby reducing stool contact with the intestinal
mucosa 4) it enhances beneficial bacteria in the gut. The bark has noted
anti-inflammatory activity and because the mucilage resists digestion by
stomachs acids and enzymes, it maintains its soothing action throughout the
entire digestive system.
DIRECTIONS: Add 1 tsp to 1/2 cup cold water. With fork mix slippery elm &
cold water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly. Heat to a simmer, or 1
to 2 minutes, or until thickened. Cool. Refrigerate. Keeps in the fridge for
about a week.
CAUTIONS: If you see mold on it sooner than the 7 days, dispose and prepare
fresh batch.

Vitamin C
USES: Powerful anti-oxidant. Can slow the aging process and slow damage to
the body's tissues, as well as to help prevent cancer. It has also been
suggested that vitamin C can help treat hip dysplasia, arthritis, and
urinary tract problems.
DIRECTIONS: Use calcium buffered Vitamin C

Witch Hazel
USES: Natural antiseptic. Useful for hot spots, and as a gentle ear wash.
DIRECTIONS: For hot spots: Saturate a cotton ball with witch hazel and apply
on hot spots for several days.
For ear wash: Saturate a cotton ball and clean ears.

OTHER:
Thermometer (digital)
Normal temp in dogs and cats is 101 to 102 degrees F). A low temperature can
indicate a very sick animal or hypothermia. In either case it is very
important to warm the animal. A high temperature can indicate infection or
hypothermia. Temperatures above 106 or 107 degrees can cause brain damage